A/N: Hey minna-san! I got a pretty exciting chapter posted for you all. It had hardly any Kagome in it but lots of Inuyasha, Kikyou, Naraku, Sesshoumaru and it introduces Kagura! Due to the lack of fluff in this chapter, the following chapter will have more of it :D.

Also, as a response to my most recent review, I have put a part in this chapter which clears up things between the whole Inuyasha-Kagome-Kikyou love triangle. The way that Kikyou realizes that she can't win Inuyasha's affections anymore is the way that I imagined that it could be dealt with in the anime or manga (yet it is done quite differently-especially in episode 125 of the anime). So, Kikyou's main motivation for working for Naraku and going against Inuyasha-in this fic-is to save herself from perpetual servitude to Naraku and to take both her sister and herself away from him.

I am not a Kikyou-Inuyasha fan. However, I feel that given the situation and how complicated life really is, that it would be too simplistic to just have either Inuyasha or Kikyou forget about what they once had with one another. I GARENTEE that Inuyasha and Kagome will end up together in end, so please put your worries to rest.

Any way, on to chappie!

Disclaimer: I don't own them (points to Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Naraku, Kagura, Sesshoumaru, etc) but that person over there does (points to a picture of Rumiko Takahashi.)

Chapter 14: Naraku's Hidden Plot

Naraku twiddled his fingers as evilly as he could. He was going to utterly ruin Sesshoumaru. After all, he thought to himself, what comes around goes around.

The history between Naraku and Sesshoumaru and their families' business has been a long and complicated one. At one point in time, Naraku's family owned the greatest circus around; children's laughing voices once had echoed through the now silent tent. Also, the lights had worked then glittering with bright and colored light instead of housing colonies of spiders and various other insects.

Naraku had been a little boy then. He had felt great excitement for following in his father's foot steps. He wanted to be the greatest ring master that ever was. However, his dreams were cut short when his parents, members of a long chain of founders of the traditional circus, were murdered in cold blood one stormy April night in Tokyo.

He swore-as a ten year-old-to whatever gods existed above that he would still make his father proud. Yet, after a short time managing his circus, he found that his competition-mainly the Sengoku Jidai Circus-that it was no easy feat. A new brand of circus had emerged in the form of the Sengoku Jidai. Instead of the mere parlor tricks and clown/dance techniques, the Sengoku Jidai offered death-defying stunts and a "freak" show which made others value their normal lives and existence; the freak show initially presented the idea that fear could be turned into entertainment.

The main reason that Naraku's circus had failed was that since Sesshoumaru's family ended up introducing this new circus revolution, he had always been second best and a follower-even a copy cat- to the circus going public. What Naraku needed was to come up with something original; his idea was to construct a circus that would offer death defying stunts and one of the largest freak shows in all of Japan.

Naraku, during the years in which the circus had remained dormant, had collected a couple of prized individuals that would certainly spice up his developing freak show. Most of his collectibles-as he called them-had been hanyous.

Hanyous were spawns of demons and humans; they were the most abundant candidates for his show because many of these half-breeds did not develop in physically appealing ways; those hanyous inherited dominant demonic visages, so Naraku could easily pass them off as pure demons. Some though could pass for humans; Naraku used this category of hanyou to present death- defying stunts since these performers' possessed super-human abilities which separated them from the norm.

Sesshoumaru still had an advantage with his brother Inuyasha in his show. He had possessed both and incorporated both in his act-though he knew that Inuyasha had not known that he was the way he was because of the demon blood running through his veins. Naraku knew that if he could have Inuyasha join him and help him to awaken his demon blood that he could improve his circus in many ways; it certainly wouldn't be second rate anymore-he thought. He would have the biggest traveling freak show around. He would give the crowds the death-defying stunts and a new form of circus to drool over.

All he needed was his plot tonight to work. If successful-overseen by Kagura, who Naraku thought more loyal than Kikyou-then he would weaken the sickening close bonds that the performers shared with one another. Inuyasha would begin to distrust Kagome, Sesshoumaru would question and doubt the loyalty of the performers, and other chaos would ensue simply because this stimulus would set a catastrophic chain of events into play.

Naraku swirled the blood-red wine which resided in his silver goblet around, chugged it down in one fatal swoop, and then proceeded to throw it on the ground with a great force causing the dark and empty hall to be filled with sound. He smiled to himself as the sound of the goblet's fall diminished. When the hall became silent once more, he said to himself, "It feels good to be evil! Sesshoumaru, your circus will fall like mine did.by the loss of a family member."

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Inuyasha looked at Kagome from the across the ring as he led Tanto and Elli around. He was royally pissed that he hadn't found the time to tell her about the whole freak show thing. Well, she was going to see him tonight because she-as a dancer now- was on stage for the first few seconds of his act. He knew that she was would be mad at him for this. He could see how the scene would play out in his head already:

"Inuyasha, how could you let Sesshoumaru do this to you.you're not a monster-both you and I know this!"

Inuyasha didn't like when Kagome and him fought. He would never admit it anyone though. He didn't want to loose his 'bad boy' image. He smiled across the ring to Kagome but she was too busy dancing to see. Or so he thought.

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Kikyou felt alive again as a performer. After such a long time at a dormant circus, she felt the energy from the audience and desired to dance her heart out during the opening performance. She had almost forgotten about her mission in the midst of a pirouette when she saw Inuyasha idly glancing at her from across the ring; she quickly remembered.

Kikyou felt her heart jump. It had been a long time since she had seen Inuyasha with such a happy look on his face. She had thought that her betrayal would leave the poor love-sick fool scarred for life. Apparently not, Kikyou had thought to herself. She wondered if the girl was really helping heal Inuyasha's trampled heart. She sighed inwardly as she continued to dance.

The dancing troupe had made it all around the ring and now was back stage. Kikyou felt relieved that Inuyasha was getting better in her absence. Yet, she could also feel a great deal of jealousy that mixed in with the feeling of relief. If only this life had dished out different circumstances so that they could be together. In other words, Kikyou knew that a relationship wasn't possible between the two of them anymore; she had to free herself and her sister first before she would even think of fighting for Inuyasha's heart. If all went well and she gained her freedom, she feared that it would be too late because she had seen the effect that Kagome had on Inuyasha through his one idle smile; through time, it would just grow stronger and she wouldn't have a chance for rekindling the love that they had once shared. It would be better for Kikyou and Inuyasha for her to find another to love. Kagome had taken her place and there wouldn't be room for her anymore in Inuyasha's new life. She was glad that it Kagome and not some bitch. The realization did not stop her from releasing a single tear drop from her right eye. (A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, this paragraph presents the death of the past relationship between Kikyou and Inuyasha *huzzah!)

It was just too bad-thought Kikyou-that, she had to frame the girl. She was too determined to free her sister. Plus, in her heart, she somehow knew that Naraku's plot-at least the one known to her-would fail because of the love that Kagome and Inuyasha had felt for one another. Love would always be the victor over deceit.

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Inuyasha looked at Kagome who seemed to be deeply contemplating something. He noticed something different about Kagome though. He smelled the air around him and noticed that the way that Kagome smelled everyday had somehow changed. He had started walking towards her to try to find the reason why. He walked up to her and she turned to meet his gaze. He looked into her eyes and was shocked as hell at his conclusion.

"Kikyou," Inuyasha breathed almost inaudibly, "What are you doing here? Where's Kagome?"

Kikyou a bit surprised at Inuyasha's observant behavior stated, "It seems that I can't fool you, so why even try to. She's not here at the moment Inuyasha. Let me do my mission here and I promise that she will not be harmed. Reveal me to the others and she will be taken away from you and the Sengoku Jidai Circus forever."

"What are you planning to do? Ruin the circus like you did before? Make us loose all our profits? Why do you work for that bastard anyway?" questioned Inuyasha

"I can't tell you!" Kikyou shouted to him as she dragged him away from the crowd. I can assure you though, that if you get in my way, the girl or maybe even you will be hurt! Now, let me do my job or my life will become even more hellish than it is now. If you help the girl than you will hurt me, Inuyasha, and if you do nothing less people will be hurt. So, please don't be foolish!"
Inuyasha reached out to grab her but she moved toward the dancing troupe. Damn that Kikyou and all her ultimatums he had thought to himself! Inuyasha had no choice but to let everyone think that Kikyou was Kagome. He knew one thing for sure though; he was going to foil Naraku's plan without exposing Kikyou and keeping Kagome safe physically and from suspicion.

A part of him was glad though, that Kagome's detainment would let him explain his act to her; although the circumstances that kept him from more arguments resulting with Kagome royally sucked.

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The acts were going wonderfully that night as far as Sesshoumaru and the rest of the staff could tell. The clown routines were very funny and the Flying Higurashi's were performing the best that they had so far; Sango had nailed all of her moves and it would seem that after so short of time she had even mastered the triple flip and twist. The false Kagome even performed beautiful as a dancer. Sesshoumaru sat smugly backstage watching as Inuyasha finished scaring the pants off the whiny kid in the third row and exited stage left with Sesshoumaru giving him a pat on the back.

The only event left for the night was the presentation of the Shikon jewel to Midoriko Takahashi. The famous politician had given the jewel to Sesshoumaru's care. He was then, after Inuyasha's act and before the finale, to invite the eleven year-old down and present the jewel to her on behalf of her father.

Sesshoumaru knew the worth of the jewel so in mind of all the things that had gone awry of late he had kept the jewel close to his person. He wouldn't let any thief take it; they would have to pry it out of his vice- like grip. Sesshoumaru took a deep breath before coming out from the stage left and heading toward the center ring wearing his new glittery white boa.

He took another deep breath before he spoke up, "Dear ladies and gentle, boys and girls of all ages, I have an announcement to make before I conclude this, our last show in Osaka. It appears that we have a very special guest in our audience tonight. This person is a true lover of the circus and it is my honor.neh, my privilege to invite Midoriko Takahashi up to the center ring to join me. Your father has arranged a very special surprise for you Takahashi-san!"

The eleven year-old looked to her father with wonderment in her eyes. He nodded as to indicate that this wasn't some practical joke that he was pulling. The audience began to clap and Midoriko got up and skipped happily over Sesshoumaru in the center ring.

"Your father thinks of you as his special little jewel Midoriko-san, so he thought that the most appropriate way of him showing you how he feels is to get you a jewel as well.a jewel that-of course is no rival to your own beauty. Here is the Shi."

Sesshoumaru did not have a chance to finish. Kikyou up on the cat walk also did not know of this recent plot twist. She was messing with a couple of the sand bags when the lights had gone out and blinded her from her work up there.

Sesshoumaru felt a strong current of wind separate him from the girl. He was hoisted up by the strong winds and slammed down into the safety nets that were still left in tact for the Flying Higurashis' dismounts. His mobility was completely disabled because of the strength of the wind that pummeled against his body. He had heard the sound of the audience screaming and panicking. He had known somewhere in the depths of his soul that everything was going too smoothly to end the perfect night.

Sesshoumaru heard a chuckle from above him and felt a hand reach into the pocket where the Shikon jewel was being stored. He screamed, "Please.don't do this! Things were going too well."

He opened his eyes to see-however faintly-that he was talking to a demon girl that he had gathered had manipulated the wind in the auditorium. She looked at the Shikon and said, "You're a silly man to think that I would go against my master's wishes. With that, she went away from Sesshoumaru on a gigantic white feather and disappeared from the tent. As soon as she did, the air currents returned to normal and lights had turned back on. Sesshoumaru, managing to lift his head up observed that the audience had looked disheveled but still mainly in tact; of what he could tell in one short glance, there were very few injuries involved.

Sesshoumaru surprisingly got down to the ground rather quickly and began to explain to the audience the situation. Those that were injured would be treated immediately, discounts for season passes would be in effect, and he apologized several times, wording each apology differently.

The general crowd seemed to buy it, while the two people that he was meant to impress were still either insanely fearful-in Midoriko's case-or intensely angry-in Minister Takahashi's case. Sesshoumaru knew that he had a lot of explaining to do to avoid a law suit, so he walked over to the Takahashi's as calmly as he could and asked them to follow him to his office where they could talk things over in private. A very expensive and valuable jewel had been stolen and Sesshoumaru knew that the circus would have to pay dearly for it.

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Kikyou had seen once the lights had turned on and the wind was gone that Sesshoumaru had a look of pure panic on his face as he lay on the safety net. What had caused that sudden blackout she had wondered?
Kikyou would only have to see the end of the cat walk to know. So, she was involved with Naraku's other plot.

"Kagura, what are you doing here! I think that I can handle things here on my own" testified Kikyou to the demon wearing a red, white, and blue kimono and holding a large white fan.

"Well, you were sloppy with your work.I saw in Kanna's mirror how you were discovered by Inuyasha and you didn't kill him in order to keep your secret identity as Kagome. You know, as well as I do that when a plot is discovered it is better to silence a person who can blab by introducing the individual with death. Why didn't you kill him Kikyou? Is it still possible that you harbor feelings for Inuyasha?" piped Kagura haughtily.

Kikyou remained silent for a moment and hesitated to reveal that it was over between her and Inuyasha yet that she still felt fond of the man so to not pass herself as weak. She instead changed the topic by asking her, "Now, what is Naraku's real reason for sending you here; why did he want the Shikon?"

Kagura held the jewel out and looked at it fondly before she looked to Kikyou with a response in her lips.

"The master has ordered you to break the jewel with you holy powers and plant the broken shards of it in Kagome Higurashi's dressing room. He wanted you to frame her that way instead of the way that you were ordered to do it. This way, as the Lord Naraku thought, the media would be more attracted to the Sengoku Jidai Circus and be one more cause to its deterioration and eventual downfall."

As a sort of afterthought, Kagura added, "If you ask me though, I feel that it's a shame to break such a pretty jewel."

Kagura walked over to Kikyou and handed her the jewel reluctantly. She chanted something under her breath and disappeared in front of Kikyou.

Kikyou eyed the jewel before her before she quickly pulled out one of her holy arrows. She merely touched the jewel lightly before it began to glow with a soft pink light and crack. The jewel then crumpled in her whole no more.

She heard from the cat walk Sesshoumaru talking to the crowd and explaining the current situation. Kikyou had to hurry before Sesshoumaru gave the security guards the order to search out the circus thoroughly for the missing precious jewel. She had to free Kagome, plant the evidence, and escape the circus before anyone began to suspect anything more suspicious.

Kikyou quickly made her way down the cat walk with a person that she knew quite well in hot pursuit of her.
She had reached the door to Kagome's dressing room and looked around to see if anyone had followed her. She slipped in and quickly got to work. She hid the various shards around certain spots of Kagome's dressing room and then pulled the girl out of the closet. Kikyou uncovered the top blanket of Kagome's futon and quickly got to creating the illusion that Kagome had fallen asleep right after the show.

Kikyou whipped out a skinny jeweled dagger and cut the duct tape off of Kagome's hands and untied the gag that was in her mouth. She dragged her to the bed, with her dagger clenched in between her teeth and put her under the top futon. Kagome turned around naturally and moaned sweetly in her sleep. Kikyou only had one last thing to do and it that was to get out of the Sengoku Jidai unnoticed.

She turned around and saw that it would be quite impossible to do that with Inuyasha in front of her and blocking the door way.

She knew that she could not convince him to let her leave peacefully so she took drastic measures. She ran over to the futon once again and pulled the dagger that was clenched in between her teeth and pointed it right above Kagome's heart.

She focused her eyes on Inuyasha's worried visage and stated as clearly as she could, "Inuyasha, you have to move out of my way now; if you don't I will kill Kagome.

"Fool," Inuyasha spat, "there's a security camera in this room right now, the guards will be over here as soon as you can clown car."

Kikyou waved her finger at him in a Sassy manner and responded, "You think me a fool if I didn't destroy the camera when I first surprised the little Kagome getting ready for her big night. I tell you Inuyasha.that I am no fool. Naraku's other minions are also buying me time by that gates, that's where the majority of guards are at the moment."

Inuyasha could not believe what he was hearing. Kikyou had really turned rotten unless it was all an act. "Kikyou, you wouldn't hurt Kagome! I don't think that you are capable of hurting the innocent."

"You would think that of the old me Inuyasha.but I have changed my friend!" she stated after making a slight cut on Kagome's forehead. Blood began to ooze and Kikyou regretted doing that (after all, she had just intentually hurt an innocent for her own selfish reason). This incident had fazed her but she was determined not to show that it had this effect on her through her visage. She felt as if her face had turned to stone.

Inuyasha felt a drop of sweat lingering down his forehead as he saw Kikyou intentually cut into Kagome's forehead. He had to move aside. The last time he had let Kikyou go, it was because of the love that he felt for her. This time was different though. He had yielded to Kikyou's demand to save another person that he cared deeply about.

Kikyou waved sayounara and winked before exiting the room.
Inuyasha hurried over to the sink and filled a bowl with soap and water. He then took a rag and carried the bowel over to Kagome's bed side. He dipped the rag in the luke warm water gingerly began cleaning the cut on her forehead. Once cleaned, he placed a bandage on it and set out on his next mission. He needed to find the Shikon shards and get them to his brother to explain the situation-no matter how unbelievable or unreasonable it seemed.

He looked behind her vanity found two and was about to find another when a burley security guard walked in saw that Inuyasha had three shards of the Shikon jewel. Inuyasha was about to explain himself, however, before he could do so the guard called over some other officers that were near by and said proudly into his walkie talkie, "We got him sir. We'll bring the criminal to your office at once.

The same guard that reported him marched over to him and asked, "How could you do this to your own brother who has taken such good care of you?"

Inuyasha responded, "You don't understand, I was framed!"

The office smiled and said pointing to a sleeping Kagome, "I think that you just stole her line. Come on dog boy."